NFL Power Rankings, Week 2: Vikings Fall After Tough Loss at Home

Well, the oft-discussed idea of close-game regression hit the Vikings right away.

After going 11-0 in one-score games during the 2022 regular season, Kevin O'Connell's team is already 0-1 in that department in 2023 after dropping their opener in disappointing fashion against the Buccaneers. The 20-17 loss at home was a frustrating one because turnovers and penalties made the difference in a game the Vikings absolutely should've won.

Let's check in on the national power rankings to see how far Minnesota fell after Sunday's game.

Conor Orr, SI.com: No. 24 (Down 4 spots)

I thought my colleague Albert Breer made a great point on the MMQB Podcast this week: for as much as I defended the Giants for being a team that overperformed expectations, I have not given the Vikings enough grace. They are a remarkably similar team, who had a wildly lopsided record in one-score games last year and put themselves in a position where expectations outpaced reality in 2023. So, when I preach patience for Joe Schoen and the Giants, I should be coming down on the same side for the Vikings, who may be an entirely different team in 2024. After watching them on Sunday, one would hope they’re an entirely different team, anyway.

Josh Kendall, The Athletic: No. 22 (Down 5 spots)

We have to get Justin Jefferson to a coast. His talents are being wasted in the Midwest. Jefferson had nine catches for 150 yards Sunday and became the fastest player to 25 games of 100 or more receiving yards in a game along the way, but Minnesota left all of its one-score-game miracle dust in the 2022 regular season.

Eric Edholm, NFL.com: No. 17 (Down 2 spots)

For all the encouraging signs Brian Flores' undermanned defense showed against Tampa Bay, the Vikings still couldn't take the ball away or get a crucial stop late. In the end, three offensive turnovers cost them dearly. Perhaps it's a sign that this year's Minnesota squad won't have the same fortune as the 2022 edition, which thrived in close-game situations. Then again, the Vikings almost won a game in which they were minus-3 in turnovers; teams that were minus-3 or worse in regular-season games in 2022 went 1-37. This was not a great Week 1 showing, but I am not ready to write this team off, either. It's just that there are enough tough games upcoming that it's hard not to be somewhat uneasy.

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: No. 20 (Down 2 spots)

Last season, the Vikings had plenty of games in which they were outplayed but they ended up winning close. On Sunday they outplayed the Buccaneers for the most part, but fell short in a close game. When people talked about the Vikings regressing this season, that's what it looks like.

Bleacher Report Staff: No. 17 (No change)

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2023 season aiming to repeat as NFC North champs, prove that last year's 13-win season wasn't a fluke and improve defensively over last year's 31st-place finish. Strictly in terms of yards allowed, the Vikings accomplished that last goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs had only 242 total yards and went 6-of-17 on third down. However, the Vikings' offense let them down in critical moments. Quarterback Kirk Cousins racked up 344 passing yards, but he also committed three turnovers, including a goal-line interception.

ESPN Staff: No. 20 (Down 5 spots)

Best debut performance:

WR Jordan Addison

Week 1 stats:

4 receptions for 61 yards, TD

The Vikings' No. 23 overall pick scored the first points of the season, a 39-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead over the Buccaneers. More importantly, he capitalized on the kind of coverage the team typically faces. All-Pro Justin Jefferson was double-teamed on the play. Addison simply ran past a safety that also appeared to be keeping his eye on Jefferson, and hauled in a Kirk Cousins pass for one of the easier deep touchdown receptions you'll see. —

Kevin Seifert

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: No. 24 (Down 3 spots)

They turned it over three times in the loss to Tampa Bay, which isn't a good way to start the season. Now they head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on a short week, which is a challenge.

Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk: No. 21 (Down 3 spots)

This could quickly go off the rails.

David Helman, FOX Sports: No. 17 (Down 2 spots)

I’ll go ahead and say it: Minnesota was the better team Sunday; they just didn’t win. Obviously, that’s not going to help them reach the playoffs, but I’m just saying it’s too early to freak out. Clean up the turnovers and you win that game. No need to reinvent the wheel – although Thursday night in Philadelphia promises to provide a much bigger challenge.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all season long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter